Missoula Man Convicted Of Drugging – Raping Young Girls Over Eight Year Period

48 year-old Erik Nugent bragged to friends and coworkers that he had drugged and had sex with underage girls for years, until he was arrested in 2016 and convicted on multiple felonies on Monday.

Prosecutor Ryan Mickelson with the Missoula County Attorney's Office said the evidence against Nugent was overwhelming.

"The defendant, Erik Nugent, had been using alcohol and drugs to ply juvenile females for sex," Mickelson began. "It was alleged that he had drugged and or sexually assaulted nine young females between the ages of 12 and 17. These drugs included methamphetamine, MDMA, or what is commonly called 'Molly', LSD and marijuana The initial charges stemmed from 2008 through 2016, but what he was ultimately found guilty for was for most of 2015 and into 2016."

Mickelson said several of Nugent's young victims took the stand to testify against him.

"I know that it wasn't easy for them to come forward and confront Mr. Nugent at trial, but they were very strong and they did a great job."

Mickelson cataloged the charges and possible penalties for Nugent when he is sentenced.

"For the six counts of distribution of dangerous drugs, because they involve juveniles, they carry a two year to life penalty," he began. "The two charges of sexual intercourse without consent are between four and 100 year sentences, the sexual assault charges carry up to 100 years, and the three counts of sexual abuse of children carry a 10 year penalty. Those can run consecutively, so he could receive six life sentences and 500 years from the 100 year penalties, so it could be 530 years, with six additional life sentences."

Mickelson said Nugent must first go through a psychosexual examination, and a pre-sentence investigation before he can be sentenced in July.